Convertible cap system

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a head covering that uses interchangeable parts. More specifically, the head covering provides a base, that may have a bill like a typical baseball cap, and a crown that fits onto the base whereby the base is interchangeable with differently styled crowns.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a head covering that is stylistically interchangeable. More specifically, this head covering provides a base, that may have a bill like a typical baseball cap, and a crown that fits onto the base whereby the base is interchangeable with differently styled crowns.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hats have been used to cover the heads of mankind for almost as long as mankind has donned clothing. These hats, or in their most basic form, head coverings had served a mostly utilitarian function; i.e., block the sun, block the rain, block the cold. In modern times, hats are still used for utility, but more and more, have become fashion accessories.

Especially with the advent of sports throughout the world, hats or caps have become synonymous with certain sports. Baseball, for example, has the baseball cap. It serves both a utilitarian and aesthetic function. In fact, many more baseball fans don baseball caps than baseball players themselves. In the United States, the baseball cap, in particular, is used for other sports including American football, professional basketball and college sports. The baseball cap has become ubiquitous.

With such ubiquity, a highly prosperous industry has sprung up. Baseball caps are sold worldwide. There are companies dedicated to the production, distribution and sale of baseball caps of all types. Such caps can command hefty premiums of one hundred dollars (US) or more. Particularly with sports teams, a large portion of their revenue derives from fan purchases of various kinds of sports memorabilia including the caps. With such high premiums for, especially, popular teams, some fans have become frustrated.

It is common now for a team to create various kinds of caps to represent one team. For many, acquiring some or all of these caps is cost prohibitive. Teams have become so sophisticated in their cap production that they even make caps after certain events occur. For example, when THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES® football team won the very first playoff championship, THE OHIO STATE® provided new championship caps immediately after the game and the next day, to its fans in various retail shops.

Ideally, fans should have a way to have one kind of cap that can be modified to reflect different colors and logos that a team creates. Such an approach could be much more affordable for the fan. This kind of solution could also engage a fan's participation at a high level. The invention provided herein gives a cap owner an opportunity to have that kind of control and is discussed in much greater detail herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a cap that has a first part that has a circular section that fits to the head of a wearer. The circular section has one or more first connectors positioned thereon. A bill is attached to the circular section that extends from the circular section. The cap also has a second part that has a crown portion. The crown portion has a covering zone and one or more second connectors adjacent to the covering zone. The one or more second connectors are attachable to the one or more first connectors of the circular section of the first part. In one embodiment herein, the first part of the cap comprises at least four first connectors.

In practice, there are equal numbers of first connectors and second connectors. The equal number of first connectors and second connectors mate to one-another thereby attaching the first part and the second part to one-another. In one example herein, one or more of the first connectors of the first part can contain magnets. The second connectors of the second part therefore comprise material that is appropriately attracted to the magnets—e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and their alloys. The reverse is also true; namely, the second connectors of the second part of the cap can be magnetized while the first connections of the first part can comprise appropriate material that is attracted to magnets.

In one embodiment herein, the first part of the cap comprises at least four first connectors. If there are at least four first connectors in the first part of the cap, then there are at least four second connectors in the second part of the cap that match up with the first connectors to mate therewith and attach thereto.

Another attachment device useful in the cap herein are hooks and loops. That is, one or more of the first connectors may be hooks that connect to one or more second connectors that are loops. Such hooks and loops are known commercially under the VELCRO® name.

In practice, the second part of the cap is readily removable from the first part of the cap by a wearer. When worn, the second part of the cap is designed to remain in place and not be removable unless and until a wearer intentionally removes the second part of the cap from its first part.

Multiple second parts of the cap are removably interchangeable with one or more first parts of the cap. The second part, i.e., the crown, can be added and removed to change the look of a completed cap.

Additional suitable connectors for the first and second connectors herein are the mating and receiving parts that constitute buttons. Both first and second connectors may serve as either mating or receiving parts so long as they alternate for proper alignment and attachment.

In another attachment configuration of the first connector(s) and second connector(s) of the cap herein, the first connector of the first part may be linear and extend at least about half of the circumference of the circular section of the cap's first part. It may also extend substantially about all of the circumference of the circular section of the cap's first part. In such attachment configuration, the second connector(s) of the second part is also linear and mate-able to the first connector(s) of the first part of the cap. Of course, the one or more second connectors of the second part is mate-able fully about the length of one or more connectors of said first part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cap provided herein;

FIG. 2 an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view the circular section or base of the cap provided herein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the crown portion of the cap shown herein; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of multiple crowns attachable to one base of the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By the term “cap” or “baseball cap”, it is meant herein the kind of head covering configured to look like the kind of cap normally worn by baseball players.

The invention herein provides a cap that has a first part that has a circular section that fits to the head of a wearer. The circular section has one or more first connectors positioned thereon. A bill is attached to the circular section that extends from the circular section. The cap also has a second part that has a crown portion. The crown portion has a covering zone and one or more second connectors adjacent to the covering zone. The one or more second connectors are attachable to the one or more first connectors of the circular section of the first part. In one embodiment herein, the first part of the cap comprises at least four first connectors.

In practice, there are equal numbers of first connectors and second connectors. The equal number of first connectors and second connectors mate to one-another thereby attaching the first part and the second part to one-another. In one example herein, one or more of the first connectors of the first part can contain magnets. The second connectors of the second part therefore comprise material that is appropriately attracted to the magnets—e.g., iron, cobalt, nickel and their alloys. The reverse is also true; namely, the second connectors of the second part of the cap can be magnetized while the first connections of the first part can comprise appropriate material that is attracted to magnets.

In one embodiment herein, the first part of the cap comprises at least four first connectors. If there are at least four first connectors in the first part of the cap, then there are at least four second connectors in the second part of the cap that match up with the first connectors to mate therewith and attach thereto.

Another attachment device useful in the cap herein are hooks and loops. That is, one or more of the first connectors may be hooks that connect to one or more second connectors that are loops. Such hooks and loops are known commercially under the VELCRO® name.

In practice, the second part of the cap is readily removable from the first part of the cap by a wearer. When worn, the second part of the cap is designed to remain in place and not be removable unless and until a wearer intentionally removes the second part of the cap from its first part.

Multiple second parts of the cap are removably interchangeable with one or more first parts of the cap. The second part, i.e., the crown, can be added and removed to change the look a completed cap.

Additional suitable connectors for the first and second connectors herein are the mating and receiving parts that constitute buttons. Both first and second connectors may serve as either mating or receiving parts so long as they alternate for proper alignment and attachment.

In another attachment configuration of the first connector(s) and second connector(s) of the cap herein, the first connector of the first part may be linear and extend at least about half of the circumference of the circular section of the cap's first part. It may also extend substantially about all of the circumference of the circular section of the cap's first part. In such attachment configuration, the second connector(s) of the second part is also linear and mate-able to the first connector(s) of the first part of the cap. Of course, the one or more second connectors of the second part is mate-able fully about the length of one or more connectors of said first part.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of cap 10 provided herein. At first blush, Cap 10 looks like almost any known cap of similar type. Its construction and configuration, however, are not at all the same as any other cap. For example, cap 10 is not a one-piece construction. Instead, it is made up of at least two pieces: base 15 (partially shown) and crown 40. Base 15 comprises bill 20 and border 25 (FIG. 2). Border 25 itself comprises outer rim 27 and inner rim 26 which is positioned oppositely thereto.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are attachment zones 30 which will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. It is sufficient to state, however, that attachment zones 30 ensure attachment enable connection and subsequent disconnection between base 15 and crown 40.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. It clearly delineates the two main portions of cap 10, i.e., base 15 and crown 40. Base 10 comprises bill 20 and border 25. Bill 20 is attached to border 25. As shown, crown 40 is meant to fit onto inner rim 26 of border 25. Also as shown, inner rim 26 of border 25 resides oppositely to outer rim 27.

Attachment zones 30 are shown on both main portions of cap 10. On crown 40, attachment zones 30 are shown dashed to indicate their existence and their position on the underside thereof. Ideally, there is a crown inner rim 42 (not shown) upon which attachment zones 30 sit. The circumference of crown 40 is constructed to be just a bit larger than the circumference for border 25. Importantly, the circumference of crown 40 should be made to be just large enough to fit onto border 25 snugly, allowing just enough room to properly fit the attachment zones of crown 40 onto the attachment zones 30 of border 25.

FIG. 3 is a side view of base 15 of cap 10 provided herein. Base 15 serves as the bottom portion upon which crown 40 sits and is attached. Ideally, base 15 comprises attachment zones 30 onto which attachment zones of crown 40 (not shown) attach, thereby securing the two parts to form cap 10. Alternatively, attachment zones 30 may exist either only onto border 25, i.e., outer rim 27 thereof or onto crown 40, i.e., crown inner rim 42. In such alternative configuration, attachment zones 30 comprise a suitable attachment device, e.g., Velcro® hooks, that are attachable to the material of either border 25 or crown 40. Also alternatively, attachment zone 30 may not exist at all. That is, crown 40 can be configured to fit securely onto border 25 of base 15. In that embodiment, the circumferences of crown 40 and base 15 are nearly equal. Also, border 25 would be stiff enough to enable substantial securement of crown 40 to base 15.

FIG. 3 shows attachment zones 30 are shown fixed onto outer rim 27 of border 25. Attachment zones 30 may be affixed through the entirety of border 25 such that a portion of attachment zone 30 appears on inner rim 26 and outer rim 27 of border 25. Ideally, three or more attachment zones 30 are positioned onto border 25. More ideally, there are five to ten attachment zones 30 positioned onto border 25. Ideally, attachment zones 30 on border 25 each have a mate, i.e., another attachment zone, positioned onto crown inner rim 42.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of crown 40 of cap 10. Several attachment zones 30 are shown on the underside of crown 40. Also shown is crown inner rim 42 upon which attachment zones 42 sit. When provided, crown inner rim 42 is an additional layer of material, e.g., the same fabric that makes up crown 40. Such material is folded up along edge 44 of crown 40. Crown inner 42 is constructed to remain in place and to provide a degree of stiffness thereto.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of several crowns 40 attached to one base of the cap provided herein. Base 15 is one base of cap 10. What is shown is the ‘swapping out’ of different crowns 40 onto the same base 15. This is the heart of the invention. Different crowns 40 are meant to be attachable and detachable from one base 15. On a sports team, e.g., a little league baseball team, one base 15 can be used with differently colored crowns 40 so that when different uniforms are worn, a new cap is not needed. This can be especially helpful for sports teams of children who may be more prone to lose parts of a uniform.

FIG. 5 different crowns 40 A, B and C provide a visual of how each crown 40 can be swapped and then used on base 15. Each crown 40, i.e., A, B and C, is identically configured and useful for placement onto base 15. The only difference in crowns A, B and C is cosmetic, i.e., a logo, letter, insignia, words or the like.

For the fashion conscious, different crowns 40 can be used for one base 15 to match different outfits of a wearer. As noted hereinabove, the baseball cap industry has been borrowed by other sports and by the fashion industry to communicate fashionable art outside of the realm of baseball. For those with such fashion interest, the ability to have multiple crowns 40 for one base 15 would solve several problems. First, the need to buy more than one cap would be obviated. Second, the price point of a crown could be held at a significant discount to a full one piece cap thereby enabling more looks with the same base 15 for cap 10. Solving such problems of use and cost are important and enable utility and novelty of cap 10 herein.

Caps 10 of the type contemplated herein may be formed from a variety of materials. Preferably, but not necessarily, crown 40 and base 15 are made from substantially the same materials. Alternatively, crown 40 and base 15 are made from different materials that do not “conflict”. For example, crown 40 may be made from wool while base 15 comprises substantially cotton or a cotton blend. Regardless of the exact configuration, crown 40 and base 15 are intended to comprise materials normally used in known one-piece caps discussed hereinabove. Suitable types of material for the construction of cap 10 include, but are not limited to, cotton, cotton blends, wool, wool blends, polyester, nylon, modacrylic, olefin, acrylic, flax, rayon, spandex, vinyon, saran and blends of any of the foregoing.

Attachment zones 30 can be formed from several materials. As noted hereinabove, attachment zones 30 on border 25 and crown 40 may comprise hooks and loops of the Velcro® type. Either outer rim 27 of border 25 can comprise the loops of the hooks. If outer rim 27 comprises hooks, then crown inner rim 42 will comprise the loops. The reverse is also true. Similarly, border 25 of base 15 may comprise magnets. If so configured, attachment zones 30 of crown inner rim 42 will comprise suitable magnetizable metal mate able with the magnets of border 25. The reverse is also true. Alternatively, attachment zone 30 for both crown 42 and base 15 may be one substantially continues area upon which crown 42 and base 15 connect. Such configuration provides that crown 42 and base 15 attach and detach by a ZIPLOCK® device whereby plastic sandwich bags (and other types) are securely fastened together.

Attachment zones 30, in addition to being magnetic, can further be electromagnetic. Attachment zones 30 may be made from metal. Such attachment zones 30 may then be powered by a power source thereby magnetizing the zones lightly, but strongly enough to secure attachment of crown 40 to base 15. To maintain this electro-magnetic state, attachment zones 30 are powered such that a threshold of magnetization is maintained throughout wear of cap 10.

In order to engage or disengage the electro-magnets of attachment zones 30, a user will actuate this function with a button/switch other mechanisms under the bill or someplace else on the cap 10 like the topmost button on crown 40. The attachment might also use a mechanical convention to further secure the cap 10 and/or guide the crown 40 onto the bill portion, the base 15. A wearer may have to initiate a mechanical action to completely remove crown 40 even though the electro-magnets have been disengaged. Also a power meter and charge indicator can be located under the bill of cap 10. An auxiliary wire can be located on cap 10 to trickle charge cellphones or power earbuds that work in conjunction with cap 10.

One or more power sources can be attached to cap 10. This power source(s) (not shown) is responsible for actuating any attendant electromagnetic elements. Also, the power source(s) may also actuate any other electronic features added to cap 10, e.g., lights, sounds, biometric sensors and the like.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap system, comprising: a. A first part having, i. A circular section, said circular section being fittable to the head of a wearer, said circular section having one or more first connectors; ii. A bill attached to said circular section whereby said bill extends from said circular section; b. A second part having a crown portion, said crown portion having a covering zone and one or more second connectors adjacent to said zone of covering, said one or more second connectors being attachable to said one or more first connectors of said circular section of said first part.
 2. The cap system of claim 1 wherein said first part comprises at least four said first connectors.
 3. The cap system of claim 2 wherein said one or more second connectors of said second part mates to each said one or more first connectors of said first part.
 4. The cap system of claim 3 wherein said one or more first connectors of said first part are magnetized.
 5. The cap system of claim 4 wherein said second connectors of said second part comprise attachable material to said magnetized attachment zones.
 6. The cap system of claim 1 wherein said first part comprises at least four said first connectors.
 7. The cap system of claim 6 wherein said attachable material mates to each said second connector of cap covering of claim 6 wherein said first connectors of said first part comprise Velcro hoops.
 8. The cap system of claim 7 wherein said zone of attachment of second part comprises Velcro loops.
 9. The cap system of claim 1 wherein said second part is readily removable from said first part by a wearer of said head covering.
 10. The cap system of claim 1 wherein multiple said second parts are removably interchangeable with one or more said first parts of said head covering.
 11. The cap system of claim 1 wherein said first connectors of said first part comprise at least two receiving parts.
 12. The cap system of claim 11 wherein said second connectors of said second part comprise at least two mating parts, each said mating part receiving each said receiving part thereby forming a button configuration between each said first connector and each said second connector.
 13. The cap system of claim 1 wherein said first connector of said first part is linear.
 14. The cap system of claim 13 wherein said linear attachment zone extends at least about half of the circumference of said circular section of said first part.
 15. The cap system of claim 14 wherein said linear attachment zone extends substantially about all of said circumference of said circular section of said first part.
 16. The cap system of claim 15 wherein said one or more second connectors of said second part is linear and is mateable with said one or more first connectors of said first part.
 17. The cap system of claim 16 wherein said one or more second connectors of said second part is mateable fully about the length of said (linear attachment zone) one or more connectors of said first part.
 18. The cap system of claim 1 wherein said one or more first connectors and said one or more second connectors provide electromagnetic attachment to one-another.
 19. The cap system of claim 18 wherein a power source powers said one or more first connectors and said one or more second connectors.
 20. The cap system of claim 1 wherein provides one or more visual and sound outputs. 